Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The department has begun the preliminary work necessary to determine the viability of creating such a position and determining how the advocate would function most effectively. Information is being gathered on various mandates and roles of advocates, potential options and costs. A variety of potential options has been developed. However, all potential options require legislative authority, and once the initial research has been completed and a proposed approach developed, input from MLAs and other key stakeholders will be sought.

Mr. Chairman, this work that is being done on a child advocate has been laid out as part of the implementation goals from the Child Welfare League report. Thank you.